Page 25 of Last Chance Seduction
Another car pulled into my driveway, and I turned, with a glare at the ready for a family member, when a familiar brunette walked towards me.
She had her hair done in waves all the way down to her waist, with red and caramel low-lights artfully done in between some of the curls.The flowing dress she wore moved with each sure step, the wind in her hair and in her dress artfully done.Her makeup was done to the nines, and I knew her shoes and bags had to be worth more than my first car.
And I had liked that old junker.
“Gia,” I said after a moment, looking at the woman who had broken my heart and hadn’t even realized it.
She smiled at me, her eyes kind, but I had to wonder exactly what she was thinking.
“Oh, Lex.I’m so glad that you’re here.”
I set the shovel down and wiped my hands.I didn’t offer to shake her hand or even hug her, considering she wouldn’t appreciate the dirt.
“I didn’t know you knew about this house,” I said in lieu of a true greeting.
“Oh, you know me, I have spies everywhere.”She rolled her eyes.“For real, though.I was working with Daddy on a few permits, and I realized that yours had come up.And well, I just wanted to see how you were after Carly’s news.”
I blinked, wondering exactly how Gia knew so much about my personal life, and work life for that matter.She might literally have those spies of hers.
“What do you mean Carly’s news?”I asked, speaking of my other ex-girlfriend.She and I had started dating a few months after Gia had dumped me, and now Carly was married, and happy.
Again, I was the man you dated before you found your happily ever after.
I set my teeth at that thought and tried not to sigh.
“Well, I just got the news in the mail.About the baby shower.”
My stomach fell, and I tried not to stagger back.“Carly’s having a baby?”
Her eyes narrowed to slits before she smiled brightly.“Yes.Isn’t it great?I just love the fact that you can be friends with your exes.Anyway, I wanted to see how you were doing.Because the retreat’s coming up, and I know Daddy’s working hard and trying to figure out which bid to take.And don’t worry, I’ve made sure that he knows not to cut you off completely because we were dating.Heck, I’m married, very happy, and Daddy understands that.So don’t worry, I’m putting in a good word for you for the Arnault Estate project.”
She kept saying these things, as if they were supposed to make sense and not nearly push me over the edge.
Why the hell did I think that trying for the Arnault Estate would be easy?Or something I should do?
Except for the fact that every single person in my building wanted this, and I wanted to be the one who brought it.I didn’t want my lack of personal life—or twisted one—to stand in the way.
And here I was, wondering what the hell I was doing.
“I’ll need to tell Carly congratulations.I haven’t checked my mail.”
And I had a feeling the invite would be there.Because just like with Gia, I was cordial with my exes.And they felt the need to invite me to every important part of their lives.
Why did I suddenly resent that?
“Well, I just am so excited for her, and I wanted to see how you were doing.Oh, and who are you bringing to the retreat?”
I blinked.“Excuse me?”
“To the retreat.It’s sort of a family thing you know, and Daddy’s pretty conservative.”She went on, “Which sounds terrible, but it’s a family estate, and he’s not just going to sign over to anybody.There are other companies there with similar proposals to yours that have more experience.I know there are a few other projects looking for contractors though, so you probably won’t leave empty handed.”
That didn’t sound old school or ominous at all.I resisted the urge to fist my hands at my sides.“The Montgomerys is a family-owned and operated business with a long-standing family goal.”Even saying the words made me want to throw up.Because I had a feeling this wasn’t exactly what she meant.
She gave that sickly sweet smile that I’d missed for far too long.“I know.The Montgomerys do the best work in the state.You guys worked on my house.”
“I remember,” I said.Though it hadn’t been my company.It had been the Denver branch, because of location.I would have worked on her home with her then boyfriend, because I was better than that, but I was glad that I hadn’t had to.“The retreat though, what exactly do you mean?”
“I just want to make sure that you’re not coming alone.”She rolled her shoulders back.“Because there’s a lot of other companies coming that are going to showcase how steadfast and steady they are.And while the Montgomerys themselves have a lot of depth, your section of the company is pretty young.I’m not saying this to be mean.I just want you to know that you’re going to have to show that you guys have longevity.”
